Continuous system for the treatment of coal



w 1 rn T 2, m 4 4 l e C f 4| ...tm I A. iunvavrhw W oooo l l l W M T llllx N E m .d .IIIIIIIIIWIII N m w vO T M M n.. wb NQN F A T M d E e .J H WM v.. F S m m MS kk 1 r M LwnvmoH .v

Feb. 19 1924.

E Feb. 19 1924.

J. r. FENTON CONTINUOUS SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF COAL Filed Aug. 24 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. T. FENTON coNTINUoUs SYSTEM Foa THE TREATMENT 0F GOAL Filed Aug. 24. 1922 4 sheets-sheet 3 J. T. FENTON CONTINUOUS sYsTEM FOR THE TREATMENT oF COAL Feb. 19 1924.

Filed Aug. 24 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 35 of gas purification apparatus, but in great Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STAT JAMES T. FENTON, OF SALT-LAKE CITY, UTAH.

CONTINUOUS SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT 0F COAL.

.Application led August 24, 1922. Serial No. 584,039.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that 1, JAMES T. FENToN, a citizen of the' United States, and resident of Salt Lake City, in the county of Saltv treatment of coal for the purpose of removv ing the volatile constituents therefrom, p roducing a large amount of gas, and leaving a residue that may be termed synthetic anthracite or long flame coke and which lforms a valuable-fuel. j

A retort of any desired size is provided and the coal is introduced continuously by means of conveyors which may be of the worm type or drag conveyors, or other equivalent mechanism. `Within the retort the coal is treated with superheated steam at a relatively low temperature, generally not exceeding 1000 F. This steam distills off the gaseous and volatile elements of the coal, which cause the smoke in the usual combustion thereof, and leaves as a residue a fuel which has a high value and will burn without producing smoke.

The products of the distillation are automatically separated into certain fractions after leaving the retort, and the temperature of each condenser is automatically con trolled by means of a thermostat, so that the condensate will require but little purification. The gas is conducted to any form part will be pure enough to burn without further treatment. f

The coal is preheated while "passing throughthe conveyors, and the superheated steam which heats the conveyors by passing through a jacket around the same is finallyv injected into the conveyor and displacesthe air normally indrawn with the coal.

'Dhe coal is constantly in movement, and

if the retort has a capacity of 20() cubic feet, and the material being treated is pea or nut coal, it will be fed to the retort aty the rate of about five cubic feet perminute (seven and one-h alf tons per hour), and

therefore would require about forty minutes to pass through theretort.

The bottom of the retort automatic .condensers.

c isfsuptii'ed Wiet circulating waterwhich. cools the vproduct before its exit and also forms a seal. l The coal may be withdrawn by means of a worm conveyor and carried away in any desired manner. Insteadv of steam, some other inert gases may be used which can be heated to the desired temperature, but steam is preferable since the particles thereof tend to carry over the distillate in suspension.

There is no destructive distillation of the coal, since there is no combustion Ythereof. The material does n ot reach fusion temperature but the material is kept in a constant state of agitation and-reaches a semi-fluid condition. i

This apparatus can be used to treat any kind of coal, such as lignites, bituminous, and cannel coal. It can also be used for the purpose of treatin oil sands, oil shales, and any kind of oil caring solids, although of course in such cases the material after treatment will not serve as a fuel.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims.

shown in more detail than in Figure 1.

Flgure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4:.

t Figure 6 is a side view of a portion ofthe retort.

Figure?" is a sectional view 7 7 of Figure 1. f i Figure 8 isa similar sectional on the line v Figure9 isa side view, partly in section,r

view on on the linef9 9 of Figure 1, ofone of the Figure 10 is a top ,plan view of the same. i

Figure 11 is a plan view of-a detail.

` Referring to Figure 1, there?. are illus-.i ytrated twopreheatingconveyors `1 and .2

of the Worm type.. TheV spindles-oftheworms extend outside of the casings and are*y provided with pulleys 3 and 4 connected by a belt x5, power being communicated thereto in any desired manner. A casing 6 entirely orv partially surrounds the conveyors and has a branch 7 opening into the conveyor casing 1 at or 'near the point 8 of entry of the coal. Superheated steam at a relatively low pressure is conducted to the casing 6 by a pipe 9 controlled by a valve 10. The steam serves the purpose of preheating the coal in the conveyors and finally is injected into the coal to displace any air thats drawn in.- It is to be noted that the flow of steam through the preheating casing is in the opposite direction to the movement of the coal itself. After passing through the conveyors the coal isl admlt-ted into a blower 11 with the end of which communicates a pipe 12 controlled by a valve 13 through which is introduced superheated steam under a relatively high pressure to iforce the coal into the retort. This blower y is in communication with the retort 14 and has its inner end located .within the retort and provided with baiie 15 against which the coal'is blown by the steam.

One or both of the conveyors may be a drag conveyor such as illustrated in Figure 2 and subsequently described. This ltype of conveyor is illustrated in said figure as used with a different form of blower, but

l employed without departing it is to be understood that either conveyor may be used with eithenformof blower and that other modifications of each may be from the spirit of the, invention.

` As illustrated in Figure 2,' the drag conveyor comprises va casing having a central section 16 and two end sections 17 and 18. In the section 17 is firmly mounted the a'xle of a sprocket wheel 19, while in the section 18 the axle of a sprocket wheel 2O is mov- `ably mounted. An endless belt 21 4passes around wheels 19 and 20 and carries drag elements 22 which carry the coal along. An entrance chute 23 is provided for the coal. `A steam jacket 24 is provided for only the middle section 16 whereby the shafts and Wheels will not be so highly heated.. Makf to the outside of the casing and then through ing the casing in sections also facilitates easy repair vbymoving either 0r both end sections.

The ends of the' axle of the sprocket 20 are fixed in sliding bearings and an eXtension 25 passes through air tight packings a bracket 26. A large nut or handwheel 27 is screw threaded on the extension 25 and a spring 28 is interposed between the handwheel and the bracket 26.- In this manner the belt or apron 21 may be ket tensioned, and may However, it will beA any sudden shock mounting for one end permits the tension be adjusted as desire permitted to yield under and moreover the spring to bemaintained through varying temperatures with their accompanying changes in length of the apron.

From the steamA jacket 24 a jet 29 injects steam into the conveyor at the entrance chute 23. The, jacket is supplied with superheated steam from a pipe 30 provided with a valve 31 and connectedto a main steam pipe 32. As particularly shown in Figure 3, branches 33 `and 34 lead from the steam pipe 30 and terminate in jet nozzles downwardly and inwardly directed upon the belt and drag elements or scraper-s 22. When certain types of material are undergoing placed just above the feed chute 35 and therefore tend to force the material into and through said chute.

The feed chute discharges into the blower 36 which in this form is angularly inclined and leads into the retort 14. It has a bailie 15 at its inner end. A pipe 37, provided witha valve 38, connects with the superheated steam pipe 32. B inclining the blower, larger pieces of coa can be handled with less trouble and with less pressure of the steam.

The retort is described with especial reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, since Figure 1 is intended to be diagrammatic and does not disclose all of the details. The retort is preferably formed in sections, a top section 39, intermediate sections 40, 41 and 42, and a-bottom section 43. This permits more ready repair when any portion of.

the retort is broken or worn, and furthermore, a plurality of the plain sections 40. Ycan be used when it is desired rto increase the size of the retort.`

Sections 41 and 42 are provided with two pipes have perforations upwardly directed so thatthe steam which is admitted under pressure has ,an upward and inward direction as indicated in Figure 4. Thesesections also-support a combined iin and pipe n47 preferably made inone piece, each section having one of these centrally placed. The exit openings in these pipes are on both y sides .and upwardly and outwardly directed as indicated. In this manner the superheated steam is forced into intimate contact with all parts of the material passingv through the retort.

Mounted'in section 4 2 are two mechanical agitators comprising rotating shafts rovided with projecting arms as clearly i lustrated.7 In the section 43 is a larger 'agita-vv tor 49 of similar type but located inf-'the ycenter of the retort. The shafts Of the agigear 53 which meshes with a bevel gear 54 on a shaft 55. The outer end of the shaft 52 is provided with a bevel gear 56 and the outer end of the shaft 55 with a bevel gear 57 which mesh with bevel gears 58 and 59 respectively on a power shaft 60 driven in any desired manner.

Also mounted 1n the section 43 are two withdrawal cylinders 61 to be more fully described later, and their axles are provided at the ends outside the retort with worm gears 62 meshing with worms 63 on a shaft 64 provided at one end with a bevel gear 65 meshing with a bevel gear 66 on the power shaft 60. Inside this bottom section 43 is a casing 67 that directs the coal or other 'material upon the withdrawal cylinders and when discharged therefrom, upon the worm conveyor in the lower part thereof. The outside of the cylinders lit close to the casing 67 so that the two act as Crushers. If desired theends of the cylinders, as well as the ends of the4v agitators may be carried by flange plates bolted to the outside of the retorts, so that they can be removed' bodily by removal of the flange bolts. Fitted above the cylinders is an apron 68 which will direct the material thereon and also retard the move- 'ment thereof.

Above the withdrawal cylinders, on each side of the retort, is a water pipe 69'to direct water downward. Also the lower part lof the retort is kept filled with water, forming a water seal. This water may be received from any suitable source .and is preferably under constant circulation. In the lower section of the retort 1s ay worm conveyor 70 extending upwardly and outwardly and whose outer end is above the level of the water within the retort. The coal is removed after treatment by this conveyor, which may be of the drag type if desired,

I and dumped upon a belt or other conveyor 71 diagrammatically indicated in Figure 1.

The upper section of the retort may be provided with a plurality of openings 72 for the insertion of the blower, those not in use of course being appropriately-closed. From the top section also leads of the exit lpi e 73 for thevvapors and gas produced by te distillation. This outlet pipe has within it a Vsteam jet pipe 74 controlled by a valve 75 for the admlssion of superheated steam. This not only carries the vapors through into the cracking chamber but may also serve to additionally crack some of the products of distillation. If desired a thermostat 76 may be placed in the outlet pipe 73 and control the valve 75, thus regulating admissionof superheated steam and providing that the vapors leaving the retort shall have substantially a constant temperature.

The pipe 73 extends a considerable distance into the cracking chamber 77 and the combined steam and .vapors strike against a baile plate 78 with great force. From the cracking chamber the vapors pass through a pipe 79 into a se arator tank 80 shown in detail in Figures and 8. It will be noted that the vapors enter the tank 80 at` the side and are thereby given a centrifugal or rotary motion. This causes the ,precipita-- tion of the higher pitches that may not have been cracked, and of'any solid particles that may have been carried over by the steam and vapors. Furthermore, in the treatment of oil sands, shales, or coals containing considera-ble sulphur, this tank may be maintained at such a temperature that the sulphur will be in a liquid state and thus will be sepa? rated from the vapors that pass into the condenser system. In this manner the vapors that are to be condensed in this system will be practically free from-sulphur.

In this condenser or separator tank is placed a steam coil 81 connected through a pipe controlled by a valve 82 with a main superheated steam supply pipe 83. The valve rsi 82 is controlled by a thermostat 84 at the top of the vapor outlet 85 which comprises four columns connected at ltheir top by a chamber 86 in which is placed the thermostat.

If the type of material being treated or the products desired require it, the superheated steam coil 81 may be connected to a normal steam line or even to a cold water pipe. In the majority of cases however, the superheated steam willbe required.

From the separator tank the vapors pass through the" pipes 85 to the first'of four c ondenser chambers 87, 88, 89 and 90, the first three of.which are substantially identical in.Vv

construction. From the chamber 86 to which the four pipes 85 connect, four other pipes 91 pass downward to the chamber 87 and enter the same on one side of a balie 92 around which the vapors pass to exit pipes y93 similar to the pipes 85. A perforated steam pipe 94 is located in the chamber 87 connected to the main steam line 83 by a .pipe controlled bya valve 95. This valve is controlled by a thermostat 96 at the top of the pipes 93.

In similar fashion valves 97 and 98 which regulate admission of steam to the chambers 88 and 89 are controlled by thermostats 99w and 100-respectively. The last chamber 9() is provided with a pipe for supplying cold water to a coil 101 from which it -passes up into a cooling tank 102. which surrounds the vvinlet and outlet pipes to this chamber. From this chamber the gasis led away to a scrub-V 338o F. respectively, then thejcliambers 87,` 88, 89 and 90. will condense the anthracene,l creosote,-carbolic and benzene fractions re- 10 spectively. These willbe substantiallyvpure desired to con ense, andif the thermostats 96, 99 and 100 are set for 518, 446, and

and require littletreatment before use. Vldlacli 'tank will be provided with any appropriate y .means for drawing off the products of condensation.- If desired the thermostats may t 'be made double acting and maycontrol 'valves whicli'regulate the admission of n'ormal steam'to the chambers, so that both limitsof temperature can be accurately determined." if desired, a thermostat may be placed `at the, bend where the condenser column leaves the benzene groupand'contr.ol

: the admission of'cooling water to the tankv1O2-and lcoil '101. This should beset just Furthermore,

' below the condensation point ofbenz'ene and coal thereto i continuously, a plurallty off pipes withinthe retort for admittingsuper-- 'to the chamber.

therefore only necessary to release these bolts," disconnect the coil from the pipes, and 're..

move the whole device Vshown in Figure- 11- will cause considerable'ffree ammonia' gas to `be liberated which can be collected in any 'desired manner.

As shown in figures 4 and 5, the Withdrawal cylinders 61 have a series of pockets formed by partitions 61a extending radially Yfrom the central hub, and these'pa'rtitions have serrated edges which cooperate with the apron 68 and the casing 67l to break up thecoal before delivery to the worm" conveyor...

' The: steam coils in the condensing chamjbers 87, 88 and'- 89 may be arranged as shown in Figure 11. V-AThe coilsare supported at their .inner end by a cross piece 103 provided with-wheels 104 that run on the bottom of the chamber. The outlet andinlet ends .of the coil pass through a'flanged plate 105 which'is larger than the opening .in theside of the chamber which it covers and is bolted as a unit.

As already stated, a similar Banged: late 'may be adopted for`the ,support an re-v moval of the agitators and withdrawal cylinders. The illustration is inmany respects diagrammatic, since it isl obvious that many 4changes 1n slze, form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit' of the invention which is to. be regarded as limited onlyby the scope vof the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. Apparatus forthe distillation of coal comprising a retort, means for vsupplying catedsteam in the-form -of iets, a plural- To remove any coil, itis .comprising a retort, an endless drag con- Voutlet :to clean. the same comprising a retort, an endless drag conineens? ity of agitators withinthe retta, withdrawal cylinders and a conveyor for convferred by 'said withdrawal cylinders.'

3. A retort for the nonfdestructivel distillation of coal comprising a casing, an inlet fortl'ie supplyof coal, a plurality of superheated steam jetsJ/'within the retort, rotating agitators forfthe mass of coal being treated, rotating cylinders containing pockets, and a conveyor receiving'thev treatedcoal from said cylinders. i 85' 4. A retort for the 4non-destructive ldistillation of coal comprising a casing closed against the ingress of air, an inlet'through which the coal .is supplied together with superheated steam', pipes within-the retort 90 for the supply of superheated steam to the Vcoalbeingtreated,'rotary agitators for the mass of coal `being treated, rotary ,with- -agitators and cylinders, and a'conveyorre- 95 ceiving the treated coal from said cylinders and delivering it to4 the exterior' of the-retort. t f 5. In-an apparatus for' the distillation of. coal which comprises a retort, withdrawal i cylinders '-rotating on different axes within said retort, each of said cylinders being provided with pockets having serratededges, an apron closely overlying said cylinders `and cooperating witlrthe serrated 1 0 ledges bto crush the mass of coal before withdrawal, and means for rotating said cylinders. w

6. AApparatus for the distillation of coal .im veyor for supplying coal thereto, lmeans for preheating the conveyor, means for supplying steam to the inlet thereof to displace indrawn air, and means for supplying jets of steam to the conveyor near the and aid in the movement of the-coal.- `1 7. Apparatus for the, distillation of coal veyor for supplying coal thereto, an inlet 120 and an outlet for saidlconveyor, means for preheating said conveyor, means for 'sup-. plying steam'- to the inlet thereof to displace indrawn air, means for supplying jets of steam downwardly directed against the conveyor near vthe outlet to clean the con-A veyor' and .aid in the movement of coal therefrom. 4

'8: In apparatus for'they distillation of coal which 'comprises a, retort, ya (img oonveyor lao'A for delivering coal thereto which comprises a sectional casing having a central and two end sections, an endless conveyor running about wheels located in the end sections, and a steam jacket for the central section.

9. In an apparatus for the distillation ,of coal which comprises a retort, a vdrag conveyor for delivering coal thereto which comprises a sectional casing having a central and two end sections, an endless conveyor therein, a Wheel rotating about a fixed aXis supporting the conveyor and another Wheel rotating in movable bearings also supporting the conveyor.

10. Apparatus for the distillation of coal comprising a retort formed of a plurality of sections, steam pipes carried by one of said sections, agitators carried by another of said sections, and withdrawal cylinders carried by another of said sections.

l1. Apparatus for the distillation of coal comprising a retort formed of a plurality of sections, steam pipes carried by one of said sections, agitators carried by another of said sections, withdrawal cylinders carried by another'of said sections, and means for driving said agitators and withdrawal cylinders simultaneously.'

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

` JAMES T. FENTON. 

